"Of course if I will win two grand slams this year and he will not win, we'll be closer, but he has 19, I have 16. So three is a big difference.

"It's so important, winning on hard court again. That's a lot of positive energy for me. Being healthy, you see everything more possible. With injuries, everything seems impossible.

"It's true that I am 31, I am not 25, but I still have the passion and the love for the game. I still want to compete and still feel the nerves every time that I go on court. While those things keep happening, I will be here."

Nadal plays a shot (Image: AFP)

The Spaniard celebrates (Image: Getty Images North America)

Nadal is refusing to give up on Federer's record (Image: Getty Images North America)

Nadal has had problems with injuries and form in recent years and admits even he is surprised by the turnaround.

"Of course I am surprised," said Nadal. "But I was surprised in January. Now I am not that much surprised.

"After the first two, three months of the season, you see that I am playing well, and if I am playing well on clay, I normally am going to have my chances.

"Of course it's a very special two weeks for me. It's unbelievable what happened this year after a couple of years with some troubles, injuries, moments playing not good."